I am looking into getting a hunting pistol. I am looking at a .357 magnum. I do not know a lot about revolvers. I looking for this gun to be mainly a backup gun while bow hunting and during rifle season. In WI you need a 5 inch barrel. What I am looking for is what brand in the best. I am looking in the $500-$600 range.

thanks,
Schooter

A good quality single action revolver with adjustable sights is what I like for field carry. You can find a Ruger Blackhawk stainless for somewhere around $550.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newMod...ss/models.html

I wouldn't recommend a .357 if you plan on using it for deer. IMO there is insuffient power for deer with that cartridge. You would be better off with a .44 or .45. The .357 would be fine at very close range or for coyotes and such.

X2 on the 44 magnum.

X3 on .44mag. The .357mag works, but it's very limited for effective range.

X2 on the Ruger super Blackhawk. Fantastic single action revolver. The Redhawk and super Redhawk are fantastic revolvers if you are looking for a double action.

Don't overlook the 41 mag and 10mm.

General consensus is that it takes about 800 ft lbs. of energy to kill a deer. That being said, the 357 is on the very weak side of that at the muzzle, using the right bullet.
I'd start with the 44 mag and go up from there.

Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag.

This is mine, I paid right at $600 new for it, you should be able to find a used or a blued one for arround $500.

If you do choose either the Blackhawk or the Super Blackhawk (the .44 mag version of the BH), you might want to look at used revolvers. The BH and the SBH are so rugged that it would be hard to damage one unless it was used often as a hammer for large nails.

The SBH is fairly easily found on the used market. The BH can be found but it does not seem as common as the SBH.

If you choose the .357 BH you can use .38 Special ammo for light loads, and the SBH can fire .44 Special ammo. .38 Special ammo is usually easy to find at a good price.

Fun thing is, some of the super black hawks can be scope mounted. that is a pretty cool if you wanted to hunt with it, but idk about the effectiveness of a scope for a backup. stick with the .44, and if nothing else, you can quote some dirty harry lines as you put something down with it.